Everton supporters staged a large-scale protest during Sunday's match against Manchester United following the club's unprecedented 10-point deduction for financial regulation breaches.
The Toffees faced the harshest penalty in Premier League history for violating profitability and sustainability rules, leading to widespread discontent among fans.
The Premier League allows clubs to incur a maximum loss of £105 million ($130 million) over a three-year period. Everton admitted to breaching these rules for the 2021/22 season but expressed shock at the severity of the sanction imposed by an independent commission.
Everton manager Sean Dyche voiced his disbelief, describing the punishment as disproportionate, a sentiment echoed by the club. The deduction dropped Everton to 19th in the table, jeopardising their 70-year tenure in the top flight.
Before kick-off at Goodison Park, fans displayed placards bearing the Premier League logo with the word "corrupt." The protests extended beyond the stadium, with demonstrations outside the Premier League's headquarters in London on Friday and further gatherings around Goodison Park on matchday.
A large banner draped from The Brick pub emphasised the sentiment, stating, "Where there is power, greed, and money, there is corruption." Central to Everton's grievances is the perceived irregularity of the disciplinary process.
Mayor of Manchester and Everton season ticket holder Andy Burnham criticised the disciplinary process, labelling it "regulatory malpractice" in a letter to Premier League chiefs. Burnham highlighted the absence of a Premier League sanctions policy before charges were brought against Everton and the attempt to introduce one while the case was ongoing.
There is also suspicion that Everton has been singled out due to the threat of an independent regulator for football in England. Fans expressed frustration at the slow progress of a Premier League investigation into over 100 breaches of financial regulations by Manchester City and potential breaches by Chelsea.
"Why us? Why not City, why not Chelsea?" questioned Everton supporter Patrick Garner. The sentiment among fans is clear: Everton perceives itself as an easy target and vows not to accept the punishment lying down.
